Harm Avoidance is Correlated with the Reward System in Adult Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Tsung-Hua Lu(Tsung-Hua Lu),Shih-Hsien Lin(Shih-Hsien Lin),Mei Hung Chi(Mei Hung Chi),Ching-Lin Chu(Ching-Lin Chu),Dong-Yu Yang(Dong-Yu Yang),Wei Hung Chang(Wei Hung Chang),Po See Chen(Po See Chen),Yen 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.1

Objective: Hypoactivity in the reward system among patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-known phenomenon. Whether the activity in the reward pathway is related to harm avoidance, such as in sensitivity to punishment, is unclear. Evidence regarding the potential difference between ADHD patients and controls in terms of this association is scarce. Methods: Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on subjects performing the Iowa gambling test. Fourteen adults with ADHD and 14 controls were enrolled in the study. Results: Harm avoidance was found to be positively correlated with the activities of the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex and right insula in individuals with ADHD. A group difference was also confirmed. Conclusion: Understanding the roles of harm avoidance and brain activation during risk tasks is important.

Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes–Induced Inflammatory Responses

Tsung-Hsien Tsai,Lu-Te Chuang,Tsung-Jung Lien,Yau-Rong Liing,Wei-Yu Chen,Po-Jung Tsai 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.4

Propionibacterium acnes is a key pathogen involved in the progression of acne inflammation. The development of a new agent possessing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity against P. acnes is therefore of interest. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract on P. acnes–induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that ethanolic rosemary extract (ERE) significantly suppressed the secretion and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in P. acnes–stimulated monocytic THP-1 cells. In an in vivo mouse model, concomitant intradermal injection of ERE attenuated the P. acnes–induced ear swelling and granulomatous inflammation. Since ERE suppressed the P. acnes–induced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation and mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, the suppressive effect of ERE might be due, at least partially, to diminished NF-κB activation and TLR2-mediated signaling pathways. Furthermore, three major constituents of ERE, carnosol, carnosic acid, and rosmarinic acid, exerted different immumodulatory activities in vitro. In brief, rosmarinic acid significantly suppressed IL-8 production, while the other two compounds inhibited IL-1β production. Further study is needed to explore the role of bioactive compounds of rosemary in mitigation of P. acnes–induced inflammation.

Striatal Dopamine Transporter Availability is Associated with Sleep Disturbance among Patients with Bipolar I Disorder: A Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography Study Using [99mTc] TRODAT-1

Tsung-Hua Lu(Tsung-Hua Lu),Shih-Hsien Lin(Shih-Hsien Lin),Huai-Hsuan Tseng(Huai-Hsuan Tseng),Yen Kuang Yang(Yen Kuang Yang),Nan Tsing Chiu(Nan Tsing Chiu),Po See Chen(Po See Chen) 대한정신약물학회 2022 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.20 No.4

Objective: Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the poor sleep quality. Whether the striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability is related to sleep quality among patients with BD is unclear. Methods: Fifty-three euthymic patients with BD (24 BD-I and 29 BD-II) and sixty-eight healthy controls were enrolled. The Chinese Version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used, and the availability of DAT was assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using [99mTc] TRODAT-1. Results: The sleep disturbance component of the PSQI was significantly associated with the level of DAT availability among patients with BD. Conclusion: The striatal dopaminergic activity that contributes to resilience to adversity was associated with sleep pattern among patients with BD.

Enhancing Energy Recovery on Two-stage Anaerobic Process of Biohythane Production from Pig Farm Slurry

Chen-Yeon CHU,Pin-Yi LIU,Tsung-Hsien CHEN 대한환경공학회 2019 대한환경공학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2019 No.-

A systematic approach for the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic peptic ulcers

Chen-Shuan Chung,Tsung-Hsien Chiang,Yi-Chia Lee 대한내과학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.30 No.5

An idiopathic peptic ulcer is defined as an ulcer with unknown cause or an ulcer that appears to arise spontaneously. The first step in treatment is to exclude common possible causes, including Helicobacter pylori infection, infection with other pathogens, ulcerogenic drugs, and uncommon diseases with upper gastrointestinal manifestations. When all known causes are excluded, a diagnosis of idiopathic peptic ulcer can be made. A patient whose peptic ulcer is idiopathic may have a higher risk for complicated ulcer disease, a poorer response to gastric acid suppressants, and a higher recurrence rate after treatment. Risk factors associated with this disease may include genetic predisposition, older age, chronic mesenteric ischemia, smoking, concomitant diseases, a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and higher stress. Therefore, the diagnosis and management of emerging disease should systematically explore all known causes and treat underlying disease, while including regular endoscopic surveillance to confirm ulcer healing and the use of proton-pump inhibitors on a case-by-case basis.

A Novel High Precision Electromagnetic Flexure-Suspended Positioning Stage with an Eddy Current Damper

Chih-Hsien Lin,Shao-Kung Hung,Mei-Yung Chen,Shan-Tsung Li,Li-Chen Fu 제어로봇시스템학회 2008 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2008 No.10

This paper proposes a novel planar electromagnetic-actuated positioning stage. The stage is suspended by the monolithic parallel flexure mechanism, which motion comes from the deformation of the flexure. A linear electromagnetic actuator which consists of a near-uniform magnetic field and four coils is designed and implementation to provide the propelling force for 3-DOF motions. In order to suppress the vibration of the flexure suspension mechanism, an eddy current damper is designed and integrated with the electromagnetic actuator. The non-contact damper is more advanced than the contact damper used in our previous researches. The design traveling range is 3mm × 3mm in planar motion. The experimental results show the vibration of the flexure mechanism could be suppressed by the designed eddy current damper. The results also show the regulation and tracking performance by a well-designed robust adaptive sliding mode controller, which can overcome the disturbance and modeling uncertainty and guarantee a satisfactory performance.

REVIEW : Mass Eradication of Helicobacter pylori to Prevent Gastric Cancer: Theoretical and Practical Considerations

( Yi Chia Lee ),( Tsung Hsien Chiang ),( Jyh Ming Liou ),( Hsiu Hsi Chen ),( Ming Shiang Wu ),( David Y Graham ) 대한간학회 2016 Gut and Liver Vol.10 No.1

Although the age-adjusted incidence of gastric cancer is declining, the absolute number of new cases of gastric cancer is increasing due to population growth and aging. An effective strategy is needed to prevent this deadly cancer. Among the available strategies, screen-and-treat for Helicobacter pylori infection appears to be the best approach to decrease cancer risk; however, implementation of this strategy on the population level requires a systematic approach. The program also must be integrated into national healthcare priorities to allow the limited resources to be most effectively allocated. Implementation will require adoption of an appropriate screening strategy, an efficient delivery system with a timely referral for a positive test, and standardized treatment regimens based on clinical efficacy, side effects, simplicity, duration, and cost. Within the population, there are subpopulations that vary in risk such that a "one size fits all" approach is unlikely to be ideal. Sensitivity analyses will be required to identify whether the programs can be utilized by heterogeneous populations and will likely require adjustments to accommodate the needs of subpopulations. (Gut Liver 2016;10:12-26)

Association of the PPAR-γ Gene with Altered Glucose Levels and Psychosis Profile in Schizophrenia Patients Exposed to Antipsychotics

Yun-Ru Liu,El-Wui Loh,Tsung-Ming Hu,Tsuo-Hung Lan,Hsien-Jane Chiu,Yung-Han Chang,Shuo-Fei Chen,Yen-Hsin Yu,Cheng-Chung Chen 대한신경정신의학회 2014 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.11 No.2

Objective Metabolic abnormalities, e.g., diabetes, are common among schizophrenia patients. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) regulates glucose/lipid metabolisms, and schizophrenia like syndrome may be induced by actions involving retinoid X receptor-α/PPAR-γ heterodimers. We examined a possible role of the PPAR-γ gene in metabolic traits and psychosis profile in schizophrenia patients exposed to antipsychotics. Methods Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PPAR-γ gene and a serial of metabolic traits were determined in 394 schizophrenia patients, among which 372 were rated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results SNP-10, -12, -18, -19, -20 and -26 were associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) whereas SNP-18, -19, -20 and -26 were associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG). While SNP-23 was associated with triglycerides, no associations were identified between the other SNPs and lipids. Further haplotype analysis demonstrated an association between the PPAR-γ gene and psychosis profile. Conclusion Our study suggests a role of the PPAR-γ gene in altered glucose levels and psychosis profile in schizophrenia patients exposed to antipsychotics. Although the Pro12Ala at exon B has been concerned an essential variant in the development of obesity, the lack of association of the variant with metabolic traits in this study should not be treated as impossibility or a proof of error because other factors, e.g., genes regulated by PPAR-γ, may have complicated the development of metabolic abnormalities. Whether the PPAR-γ gene modifies the risk of metabolic abnormalities or psychosis, or causes metabolic abnormalities that lead to psychosis, remains to be examined.

The most ideal interval between blastocyst biopsy and vitrification applied in preimplantation genetic screening (PGS)

( Hui-ying Low ),( Hsiu-hui Chen ),( Chun-chia Huang ),( Tsung-hsien Lee ),( Chung-i Chen ),( Lii-sheng Huang ),( Maw-sheng Lee ) 대한산부인과학회 2016 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.102 No.-

Study Question: To evaluate the most ideal interval between blastocyst biopsy and vitrification in preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). Study Design, Size, Duration: This is a retrospective study and total 224 patients underwent the PGS from 2012 Dec. to 2015 Mar. All of patients underwent blastocyst vitrification after biopsy and 1~2 euploid blastocyst for transfer after warming. The primary outcome measures were the implantation and pregnancy rates per PGS-frozen embryo transfer cycle. Materials, Setting, Methods: The blastocyst grading including grade 4, 5 and 6 (according to Gardner grading system) on day 5 or day 6 were selected for trophectoderm biopsy. All blastocyst underwent vitrification immediately (interval: 0.5 hour) or 1 to 7 hours after biopsy. At the time of vitrification the grade of blastocyst expansion was also recorded. All patients were divided into two groups according to the grade of expanded (Group1: ≤1/2 expansion (n=41), Group2: ≥3/4 expansion (n=183)). Furthermore, combined two factors including the interval and morphology of blastocyst after biopsy, all patients were further divided into interval 1 (<3 hours and ≤1/2 expansion) and interval 2 (≥3 hours and ≥3/4 expansion). The morphologically best euploid blastocyst(s) (1~2 embryos) was/were selected first for transfer on the next cycle. Main Results: Assessment morphology of blastocyst after biopsy in different interval, at 0.5 hour after biopsy, 100% blastocyst was non-expansion; at 1 hour after biopsy, only 17% blastocyst was 3/4 expansion or all-expansion; at 3 hours after biopsy, 86% blastocyst was 3/4 expansion or all-expansion and after 5.5 hours, 100% blastocyst was all-expansion or hatching. All blastocysts were survival (100%, 359/359) after warming. The mean of embryo transfer number between all groups were no significantly difference. The implantation rate in Group2 (63.4%) was significantly higher than that in Group1 (46.9%, p=0.014). The pregnancy rates in Group4 (73.8%) was sig-nificantly higher than that in Group1 (51.2%, p=0.004). The implantation and pregnancy rates in the group of embryo ≥3/4 expansion combined with ≥3 hours after biopsy (63.6%, 178/280; 73.8%, 127/172) were significantly higher than that in the group of ≤1/2 expansion with <3 hour (45.6, 26/57; 50.0%, 18/36; p=0.0113 and p=0.0056, respectively). Conclusion: The most ideal interval between biopsy and vitrification was least 3 hours and ≥3/4 expansion of blastocyst after biopsy could improve the implantation and pregnancy rates for PGS.

Melatonin acts synergistically with pazopanib against renal cell carcinoma cells through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated mitochondrial and autophagic apoptosis

( Chien-pin Lai ),( Yong-syuan Chen ),( Tsung-ho Ying ),( Cheng-yen Kao ),( Hui-ling Chiou ),( Shao-hsuan Kao ),( Yi-hsien Hsieh ) 대한신장학회 2023 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.42 No.4

Background: Mounting evidence indicates that melatonin has possible activity against different tumors. Pazopanib is an anticancer drug used to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study tested the anticancer activity of melatonin combined with pazopanib on RCC cells and explored the underlying mechanistic pathways of its action. Methods: The 786-O and A-498 human RCC cell lines were used as cell models. Cell viability and tumorigenesis were detected with the MTT and colony formation assays, respectively. Apoptosis and autophagy were assessed using TUNEL, annexin V/propidium iodide, and acridine orange staining with flow cytometry. The expression of cellular signaling proteins was investigated with western blotting. The in vivo growth of tumors derived from RCC cells was evaluated using a xenograft mouse model. Results: Together, melatonin and pazopanib reduced cell viability and colony formation and promoted the apoptosis of RCC cells. Furthermore, the combination of melatonin and pazopanib triggered more mitochondrial, caspase-mediated, and LC3-II-mediated autophagic apoptosis than melatonin or pazopanib alone. The combination also induced higher activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in the promotion of autophagy and apoptosis by RCC cells than melatonin or pazopanib alone. Finally, tumor xenograft experiments confirmed that melatonin and pazopanib cooperatively inhibited RCC growth in vivo and predicted a possible interaction between melatonin/pazopanib and LC3-II. Conclusion: The combination of melatonin and pazopanib inhibits the growth of RCC cells by inducing p38MAPK-mediated mitochondrial and autophagic apoptosis. Therefore, melatonin might be a potential adjuvant that could act synergistically with pazopanib for RCC treatment.